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Experiences|Tours

Experience History Aboard A Guided Trolley Tour Of Newport, Rhode Island

Enjoy a guided trolley tour of Newport, Rhode Island, to explore its rich history and scenic views without the hassle of driving.

Published Feb 28, 2023

Written by 

Beth Price-Williams

A leisurely drive certainly has quite a few selling points – from the scenery we pass to the gems we might find along the way. However, when we’re the driver, we tend to miss out on quite a bit because we’ve got to stay focused on the road ahead of us. That’s just part of what makes this guided trolley tour of Newport, Rhode Island so much fun. You can sit back, relax, and get to know Newport in a whole new way.

Get a fascinating glimpse of Newport’s rich history aboard a guided trolley tour with Viking Tours of Newport, which hosts three unique tours of the city, ranging from 90 minutes to four hours.

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Google Maps/Newport Trolley Tours by Viking Tours

If you don’t have a lot of time, purchase a seat on the 90-minute Scenic Overview Tour. The trolley will lead you along the famous Ocean Drive, down Bellevue Avenue (known for its mansions), and past more than 150 “points of interest.”

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Google Maps/Newport Trolley Tours by Viking Tours

The three-hour Grand Mansion Tour combines the scenic tour with a stop at either Marble House or the Breakers, the latter of which was the summer residence of Cornelius Vanderbilt.

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Google Maps/Newport Trolley Tours by Viking Tours

The ultimate trolley tour of Newport, the Vanderbilts’ Newport Tour lasts approximately four hours and combines the other two tours. If you want to visit both mansions, this is the tour for you.

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Google Maps/Newport Trolley Tours by Viking Tours

While the trolley tours of Newport are seasonal, tickets can be purchased online before the season officially kicks off. The Scenic Overview Tour is available on weekends in March before setting off daily in April.

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Google Maps/Newport Trolley Tours by Viking Tours

Tickets can be purchased online or in Newport at Bowens Wharf Pilot House and Coastal Queen Cruise Dock. The tour itself departs from the Newport Bus Terminal.

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Google Maps/Newport Trolley Tours by Viking Tours

Learn more and purchase tickets on the Viking Tours of Newport website. Or, stop by its Facebook page.

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Facebook/Viking Tours of Newport

Have you been on this trolley tour of Newport, Rhode Island? What did you think? Let us know in the comments! Did you know there’s also a seal-watching tour in Rhode Island? It’s one for the bucket list, too.

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Experiences|Attractions

The Rhode Island Christmas Display That’s Been Named Among the Most Beautiful in the World

Newport Mansions in Rhode Island offer a spectacular Christmas lights display, featuring lavish decorations and guided tours.

Updated Oct 17, 2024

Written by 

Jessica Wick

It's beginning to look a lot like the holiday season here in Rhode Island. There are plenty of magical traditions we love to indulge in during this time of year, most notably the Christmastime tours of our elegant Newport Mansions in Rhode Island. The seasonal decor is more dazzling than ever, and for that, we are thankful. Read on to learn more about the best Christmas displays in RI!

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Every November, we watch as three of the most magnificent Newport mansions — The Breakers, The Elms, and Marble House — are decorated from the inside out.

Here we have Christmas at The Breakers!

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The opulence of Newport’s Gilded Age mansions meets the sparkle and magic of Christmas during the Holidays at the Newport Mansions.

We love seeing The Marble House, The Breakers, and The Elms shine bright during the cold winter season.

The mansions are decorated lavishly with hundreds of poinsettias, numerous ornamented evergreens, wreaths, fresh flowers, table settings, mantle decor, and more. The Newport Mansions at Christmas are absolutely stunning. At The Breakers, for example, there's typically a 15-foot-tall poinsettia tree that's a local favorite and a color-coordinated theme chosen for each room, and the results are spectacular.

Of course, no expense is spared when it comes to decking these halls. Over the years, Christmas at the Newport Mansions has received plenty of national attention. People come from all over New England to take guided tours during the holiday season.

Did you know that the Newport mansions Christmas decorations are considered some of the best in the world? RI Christmas displays are becoming more popular over the years.

One thing is for certain — Christmas at the Newport Mansions is the most wonderful time of the year.

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A golden frame surrounding christmas trees within the historic elms mansion in newport rhode island.

Reservations aren't required to visit the Newport Mansions in Rhode Island, but reserving tickets online is always a good idea. That way you are guaranteed to see one of the best Christmas lights displays in Rhode Island! This year's Holidays at the Newport Mansions event will be held from Nov. 22, 2024 through Jan. 1, 2025.

Will you be exploring the Newport Mansions during Christmas to see the best holiday lights display in Rhode Island? Get your tickets on the Newport Mansions’ website. You can also view the mansions virtually.

Bundle up this year with your favorite gear from North Face.

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Experiences|Tours

It’s An Epic Adventure Cruising The Bay In Rhode Island

Published May 25, 2024

Written by 

Beth Price-Williams

A few hours on the water is always time well spent, whether we're floating in a tube or paddling along in a kayak. However, very little can compare to a scenic boat tour when we're craving a low-key adventure on the water. We can sit back, breathe in the fresh bay air, and admire the quintessential New England shoreline on this bay cruise in Rhode Island.

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Rediscover the beauty of the Rhode Island coast aboard a scenic boat tour with Coastal Queen Cruises in Newport. Tours sail between the beginning of May and early November annually.

A marina with a sign for Bowen's Wharf, featuring boats, a ticket booth, and clear blue skies.
Facebook/Coastal Queen Cruises

If you're having out-of-town or out-of-state visitors, you won't find a more charming way to introduce them to Rhode Island.

The scenic bay cruise, one of several offered by Coastal Queen Cruises, boards at 5 Bowen's Landing on Bowen's Wharf, making it an idyllic stop if you're spending the day in Newport.

A blue and white boat named "Coastal Queen" docked at a marina on a sunny day.
Facebook/Coastal Queen Cruises

Settle into one of the cozy seats that offers a front-row view of the water. The main deck is wheelchair accessible.

People sitting on a boat, enjoying drinks and the view, with sunlight streaming in and flags visible in the background.
Google/Coastal Queen Cruises

If you're using a wheelchair, call 401-423-9900 before your cruise for assistance in boarding the boat. Coastal Queen Cruises also offers boat tours that leave from the East Ferry Wharf in Jamestown; that location has an ADA-accessible boat ramp.

As you watch the shoreline pass by as the boat sails from Newport Harbor to Jamestown, a seasoned tour guide will provide a lively narrative about the history of the area.

A boat named "Coastal Queen" sails past a lighthouse on a calm waterway, with trees in the background.
Facebook/Coastal Queen Cruises

You may want to bring a jacket on chilly days; however, the boat also has heat to help warm you up.

Grab a drink from the bar (there are bathrooms onboard).

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A blue bridge spans across a calm body of water under a cloudy sky.
Google/Allison Olivadoti

Keep an eye out for seals frolicking in the water or sunbathing on rocks as the boat meanders along the bay.

Arrive between 20 minutes and half an hour before the cruise's departure. Cruises leave on time and do not accommodate late arrivals.

View from a lighthouse with a glass lantern, overlooking a sunset on the water and a boat in the distance.
Facebook/Coastal Queen Cruises

Coastal Queen Cruises also hosts a variety of other cruises, including a lighthouse and mimosa tour, an evening cocktail cruise, and a seal and harbor tour.

A sunset over calm waters viewed from a boat, with a lifebuoy and seating visible on the deck.
Facebook/Coastal Queen Cruises

See a full list of cruises on the official website of Coastal Queen Cruises. Or, stop by the Facebook page of this boat tour agency in Newport, Rhode Island.

Have you been on this bay cruise in Rhode Island? Did you opt for the scenic cruise or another one? What did you think? Let us know in the comments! After your cruise, stroll around Brick Market Place in Newport, where you can grab a bite to eat or explore the shops.

If you're visiting from out-of-town or feel like a staycation, turn that day trip into an overnight getaway by booking a charming Vrbo.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/rhode-island/year-round-day-trip-destination-ri/

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